5 Creative Ideas For Styling Your Antique Home Decor
When you are looking for fabulous ways to decorate the home, there are certain pieces that will never go out of style. Antique furniture and decor can be just the thing to add a sense of historic flair to any room. Plus — depending on what you have collected — these antique items may serve as the perfect conversation pieces for when family or friends come over to visit. Whether you have antiquities that have been passed down through your family lines or just enjoy the thrill of the hunt when searching for treasures at a flea market, collecting antiques can be a rewarding decorating experience that can be a welcome addition to your interior home style.
Sustainability is a major factor as well. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in 2018, over 12 million tons of furniture made it to landfills. So it just makes environmental sense to reduce the amount of fast furniture that winds up in the garbage. Instead, lean towards purchasing quality antique goods that are still for sale on the market. No matter whether your aesthetic is boho-chic, eclectic, or country home, antiques can help to bolster the feel of any room. Because you are not buying cookie-cutter decor that is found in all of the major retail chains, decorating with antiques can make sure that each item stands out. When decorating with antiques, there are a few creative styling ideas that you can follow to get the most out of your collection.
1. Match your antiques to existing decor
There are two modes one goes into while shopping for antiques. Either passive or aggressive. But whether you go out into the world and wait for the ideal piece to jump out at you, or you obsess in the search for a specific item, eventually, you have to find an ideal spot for it in your home. If you have a wide selection of plant life in your home, what better way to show it off than to have an antique cabinet act as a display case.
When it comes to mixing and matching pieces to your own decor, it can sometimes help to have items that won't contrast with the others in the room. According to Elle Decor, you want to add new life to a room by introducing antiques instead of trying to duplicate a design from years past. Keep it unique without having your decor fight for attention. Old wooden tables might not have the same stylish effect in an ultra-modern kitchen as they would in an earth-toned living room. However, vintage picture frames might pair perfectly with new-age pop art or other quirky pieces. The bohemian style lends itself to wooden textures and more natural elements, so antique furniture, shelving, and candle sticks might work itself seamlessly into the surroundings. Also, age-old silverware, dinnerware, and antique accent pieces could help to give a contemporary kitchen new breath. A variety of decor works well if they are not challenging each other.
2. Take into account the size and quality of the antiques
Shopping for antiques for your home can be incredibly exciting. If you are the type of person who lives for flea market finds and the feeling you get when you find the perfect piece, then you might also know the danger of biting off more than you can chew. In the case of buying antique decor, you want to make sure that you aren't buying items that are too big for the room you're planning on putting them in. Purchasing too many large-scale items can make a room feel closed in and overwhelmed. It's always a good idea to note the size of the room you are searching for and then pack a measuring tape with you on your market trips to make sure the items will fit.
Being able to spot quality antiques can also be a helpful skill to have when you are collecting them for your home decor. Especially when it comes to antique furniture, it can be tough to separate the real deal from the fakes. Fortunately, there are a few things to look out for to ensure that you are getting a legitimate item. Certain aspects like dovetail joints holding in the corners and the use of more than one type of wood within the same piece can be a sure sign you have some quality antique furniture, according to Boston Magazine. Also, dig deep and look for stamps and labels from the original manufacturer.
3. Follow this ratio when it comes to decorating with antiques
When collecting and decorating antique pieces, it can be easy to get carried away. One minute you have found a few delightful-looking glasses to display in your living room, and before long, your room resembles a circus-type hall of mirrors. Depending on how you decorate a room or even what shade of paint you use, it can create a variety of emotions. From soothing vibes to an atmosphere more conducive to lively interactions, you are ultimately in control of the feel of each room. So before you overdo it on antiquities, there's a simple design ratio that can help to curb your passions.
By taking stock of each room, you should find that it follows the 80/20 rule. This means that 80% of your room will be dedicated to following a certain style, and the remaining 20% can be either accent pieces or antiques, according to Canadian artist Kimberley Cook. This can ensure that no room in the house is oversaturated in one style or color. Too much of a particular design, pattern, color, or decor can lead to the room feeling unwelcoming or just hard to look at. A room with whitewashed exposed brick and other creamy decors can be toned down with natural wood elements such as an antique pine table or rich green plants kept in vintage vases. By following this design rule, you can be sure that your antiques won't be lost in the mix.
4. Repurpose your antique into a new piece
If you live for collecting antique items, but they don't fit in with your current decor, there's no rule that says you can give them new life by repurposing them. What if you just couldn't say no to that old claw-foot porcelain tub you saw at the market, but you really don't want to go through the hassle of taking out your existing bathtub? Try turning it into a quirky display for your plants or using it in your backyard garden. Maybe you have a penchant for old luggage but don't want it getting banged around on your next trip. Well, a decoratively stacked set of luggage can make for a unique side table or arrangement.
Giving antiques a facelift can be a wonderful way of paying homage to their roots but re-styling them to fit your design needs. This can also lead to hundreds of fun ideas to upcycle any antiques you already have or ones that you have found that are in less-than-ideal condition. With a major bonus point for its eco-friendly nature, upcycling is a trend that may never go out of style. All it takes is a little bit of time and effort, and these types of sustainable decorating projects can be done in such a visibly appealing way that they can work to revive your old items, according to Forbes. Let your imagination run wild and strive to create unique pieces from the most unlikely sources.
5. Make your antique a point of focus
A good piece of antique decor can be just the thing you need to pull a room together. Especially when you discover a diamond-in-the-rough antique, you want it to be on full display in your home for yourself and everyone to see. Luckily there is a way to make your favorite antique items a focal point of the room. Focal points immediately draw one's attention and can help to set the tone of the whole room, according to Impressive Interior Design. This is why fireplaces, artwork, and creative lighting can be used to draw the eye to a room.
When it comes to having your antiquities take the center stage, then all you have to do is place them in just the right way. In the way of artwork, have it hang above a fireplace or on a wall that is immediately visible when you enter the room. Antique furniture made of rich wood or even detailed patterned fabric can stand out when placed in a room with light-painted walls. If you want a table to be the focal point of your room, then make sure not to place too many items on the surface. Extra knick-knacks on the table will only serve to clutter the decorative piece and take away from the overall effect. Antique lighting can also be an easy way to draw the eye to a room, especially if it is coming from an ornate chandelier or aged lamp.